Tippah County

Mississippi · MS

#35 in Mississippi
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Tippah County, Mississippi

Tippah County surpasses national median

Tippah County's composite score of 68.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 37%, confirming above-average livability by U.S. standards. The county delivers solid fundamentals across tax, cost, and risk dimensions.

Modestly above Mississippi average

Tippah County scores 68.3, outpacing Mississippi's state average of 67.5 by 0.8 points. It ranks in the upper-middle tier of state counties, reflecting reliable—if incremental—advantages over the state baseline.

Tax and housing remain affordable

Tippah County delivers a tax score of 81.2 (effective rate 0.750%) and cost score of 85.4, with median home values of $128,400 and monthly rent at $720. These figures keep housing and tax burdens comfortably below national averages.

Income growth lags expectations

The income score of 16.8 reveals a median household income of just $51,141, limiting economic growth potential despite affordable housing. Health outcomes (54.0) also trail the top performers, suggesting room for public health improvement.

Ideal for budget-conscious traditionalists

Tippah County suits individuals and families valuing affordability and low taxes over income potential or cutting-edge services. It's a stable choice for retirees, small-business owners, or those content with modest means in a quiet, economical setting.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax81.2Cost85.4SafetyComing SoonHealth54SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk56.2WaterComing Soon
🏛81.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
54
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
56.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Tippah County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Tippah County

via TaxByCounty

Tippah County's taxes slightly exceed U.S. median

Tippah County's 0.750% effective rate sits just below the national median of 0.88%, placing it roughly at the 45th percentile nationally. The $963 median tax is about one-third the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values and a more modest tax rate.

Just above Mississippi's state average

Tippah County's 0.750% rate slightly exceeds Mississippi's 0.743% state average, and the $963 median tax exceeds the state median of $931 by 3%. This places Tippah in the upper-middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties.

Moderate taxes in regional context

Tippah County falls between lower-taxed counties like Smith (0.457%) and Tallahatchie (0.602%) and higher-taxed peers like Sunflower (0.879%) and Tate (0.768%). The $963 median tax reflects homes valued about 12% above state median.

What $963 costs yearly in Tippah

On the median home valued at $128,400, Tippah County homeowners pay approximately $963 annually—about $80 monthly. With mortgage charges included, the total typically reaches $993 per year.

Check your assessment accuracy

Tippah County homeowners should verify their assessed values reflect current market conditions, particularly if their homes were last valued several years ago. A successful appeal can reduce your already-moderate tax burden by 5 to 15%.

Cost of Living in Tippah County

via CostByCounty

Tippah County rents stay firmly affordable nationally

Tippah County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio aligns with American affordability standards, while the $51,141 median household income remains below the national $74,755 median. A $720 monthly rent represents a reasonable housing cost, even for moderate earners in this rural county.

Solid affordability against Mississippi averages

Tippah County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Mississippi's 19.6% state average, placing it among the state's more affordable rental markets. At $720 per month, median rent falls between the state average of $782 and lower-priced rural counties, offering balance between cost and availability.

Mid-range pricing in the north-central region

Tippah County's $720 rent sits between Smith County's $664 and Stone County's $839, positioning it as a moderate-cost option in the region. Homeownership at $667 monthly cost remains competitive, with median values of $128,400 offering reasonable entry points for buyers.

Balanced housing costs across income distribution

Tippah County renters spend 16.9% of their $51,141 median income on rent, retaining $3,591 monthly for other expenses after housing. Homeowners allocate $667 monthly, or 15.6% of household income, keeping both rental and owner-occupied housing within sustainable ranges.

Reliable affordability for moderate-income relocations

Tippah County offers dependable housing affordability with $720 rents and sub-$130,000 median home values for a $51,000 median income baseline. If you're relocating on a modest budget and value stability over growth potential, Tippah's balanced pricing deserves serious consideration.

Income & Jobs in Tippah County

via IncomeByCounty

Tippah County trails national income

Tippah County's median household income of $51,141 falls $23,614 below the national median of $74,755, reflecting rural economic constraints typical of northern Mississippi. However, Tippah performs above several neighboring states' averages, indicating regional stability.

Tippah holds solid state standing

Tippah County ranks above the Mississippi state average of $48,514 by $2,627, placing it slightly ahead of the middle of Mississippi's income distribution. This positions Tippah among the state's more stable counties economically.

Tippah competitive with regional peers

Tippah County's $51,141 income mirrors Smith County ($51,396) closely and outpaces struggling Sunflower ($40,265) and Tallahatchie ($37,383) counties. Tate County ($63,995) and Stone County ($59,307) remain wealthier, but Tippah holds respectable ground regionally.

Housing costs well-managed

Tippah County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% falls safely below the 30% affordability threshold, giving households breathing room in rental or mortgage budgets. The median home value of $128,400 aligns well with local incomes, supporting accessible homeownership.

Build wealth through steady planning

Tippah County residents should leverage employer retirement benefits and explore tax-deferred savings vehicles to complement moderate household incomes. Regular contributions to emergency funds and modest investment accounts compound over time to build substantial family wealth.

Health in Tippah County

via HealthByCounty

Tippah County's life expectancy trails U.S. average

Tippah County's 71.5-year life expectancy falls roughly 4.9 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, reflecting Mississippi's statewide health disadvantage. The county's 23.9% poor or fair health rate significantly exceeds the national average of about 15%, indicating substantial chronic disease burden.

Tippah County exceeds state average life expectancy

At 71.5 years, Tippah County's life expectancy ranks above Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, placing it among the healthier counties in the state. However, its 23.9% poor or fair health rate remains notably elevated compared to healthier regions nationally.

Outstanding mental health, limited primary care

Tippah County's 132 mental health providers per 100,000 residents dramatically exceed all peer counties—nearly triple the next closest—yet its 9 primary care providers per 100,000 rank second-lowest overall. This extreme specialization toward behavioral health may reflect local needs or provider distribution patterns that leave primary care gaps.

Highest uninsured rate limits access despite provider density

Tippah County's 16.9% uninsured rate ranks highest among all eight counties—nearly 1 in 6 residents lack health coverage—making access to even its abundant mental health providers challenging. The contrast between exceptional mental health capacity (132 per 100,000) and minimal primary care (9 per 100,000) means most residents travel far for routine preventive care.

Reduce uninsured rate, unlock mental health access

With Tippah County's 16.9% uninsured rate—the highest in this group—getting covered is critical to accessing the county's exceptional mental health resources. Visit Healthcare.gov or call the Mississippi Division of Medicaid at 1-888-615-1899 to explore low-cost options and close the coverage gap.

Disaster Risk in Tippah County

via RiskByCounty

Tippah County below national risk average

Tippah County's composite risk score of 43.80 earns a Relatively Low rating while remaining below the national average. The county's tornado (78.56) and earthquake (86.61) risks are elevated, but overall exposure stays manageable.

Tippah County below Mississippi state average

At 43.80, Tippah County falls below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the safer half of Mississippi's county landscape. This favorable positioning reflects moderate exposure across multiple hazard types without extreme concentration.

Tippah County in mid-risk regional band

Tippah County's 43.80 score sits between safer Tate County (41.22) and similar-risk Tishomingo County (37.09), placing it in a relatively secure regional cluster. All three counties remain well below riskier inland areas like Sunflower County.

Tornadoes and earthquakes pose greatest threats

Tippah County residents face significant tornado risk (78.56) and substantial earthquake exposure (86.61), the county's dominant hazards. Wildfire (51.05) and hurricane (59.20) risks are moderate, while flood risk remains low (25.99).

Wind and earthquake insurance recommended

Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive wind and tornado coverage given the 78.56 tornado risk, plus earthquake insurance for the 86.61 seismic exposure. Standard homeowner policies typically cover wind; earthquake coverage requires a separate rider.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.